A Golf Cart Ride to Breakfast

Rich headed out early this morning to Pimlico for pickleball and returned about 10:15. Generally a group of regular players from Pimlico meet at Dunkin Donuts every morning for coffee at 11:00. But on Saturday morning they meet for breakfast instead.

(Click on pictures to enlarge - use back arrow to return to this page)

So Rich and I joined the group this morning at the SonRise Cafe. With the exception of Mo and Jeanne, Rich knows this group better than I do. There were 12 of us there today. Breakfast was reasonably priced and very good, and I got to meet some new people. Pictured from left to right is Golf Cart Joe ( I've heard this name so many times from Rich - today I finally got to meet him. ) Jerry, Rich (and in front of Rich and hidden is Mo), Jeanne, Joan and Charlie, and Louise (in the green top).

We took the golf cart today - so I'll show you the way back to our villa!

Leaving the parking we travel a short road shared by both golf cart and automobile travelers, and take a left which will take us to SR 466, one of the main east/west roads that crosses The Villages. (Golfcart) traffic was quite heavy today as you can see as we enter, and exit, the tunnel that crosses under SR 466 and as we continue to follow Belvedere.

Just a short distance and we pass the Pimlico Recreation Center. Yes this is the Pimlico where Rich plays pickleball on a regular basis. This recreation center has Line Dancing every Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9:45!!

Continuing along Belevedere we take a right on Ansel, a right on Due West, and a right onto Churchill Street.

Next stop is at the Lynnhaven Pool. No we're not stopping to take a dip, but to check the mail. There are neighborhood pools like this one throughout The Villages, and several of them include post office boxes for residents within that particular Village. Like everywhere else here, the landscaping is always well manicured.

Heading back down Churchill Street we come to the Churchill Street Recreation Center, where Jeanne and I play pickleball most every morning. Churchill is not as elaborate as Pimlico, and we only have four pickleball courts here, while Rich enjoys eight courts at Pimlico. Tuesday night is Bingo here.

We'll take Livingston Loop to Souther Oaks.........

Where we enter the South Oak Villas - which for right now, we'll call our temporary vacation home..............

How many of you remember the highschoold sitcom that ran back in the late 80's early 90's called Saved By The Bell? Probably not a regular for us Baby Boomers - but probably for some of our kids.

Dennis Haskins AKA "Mr Belding" from Saved by the Bell with our dauthter-in-law, Crystal and grandkids, Dalton and Chauna at a QC River Bandits game in Davenport, IA.

Dinner with Mo and Jeanne

Another typical day at The Villages. Rich was out playing today at Pimlico, but I'm still resting the back. Surprisingly, the back was doing much much better today. I think by Monday I might be able to get back out playing.

Tonight we went to dinner with Mo and Jeanne. Mo is really doing well on his diet so his recommedation for the evening was Applebee's. They have some really nice menu selections, including the two for $20, which includeds one appetizer and two main entrees. They also have a selection of 5 or 6 different meals which have 550 calories or less. Mo and Jeanne both opted for the Asiago Steak, with baby red potatos and vegetable (under 550 calories), which they said was excellent. Rich selected the Spicy Blackend Talapia - also excellent and I had the Chicken Ceaser Salad.

The last few times that we have dined out with Mo and Jeanne, they have invited us back to their place for Rich's favorite dessert ( eclairs!). Since Mo was dieting, I whipped up a fat free KeyLime pie this morning and invted them back to our place for pie and coffee.

It was a very nice evening - great company - great conversation.

Tomorrow is breakfast at 11:00 at the SonRise Cafe and Sunday they've invited us to join their group for Father's Day Dinner at the Tierra Del Sol Country Club. The social calandar is certainly filling up fast!!!

Unwanted Free Time!

We've both been out every morning this week playing pickleball. I still meet up with the group at Churchill Street Rec Center, while Rich has been off to Pimlico, El Santiago, Saddlebrook and La Hacienda.

The weather here has been almost unbearable. Here in the Tampa/The Villages area we continue to break records for temperatures and heat index with temperatures in the high 90's and heat index well over 100. We've had a number of people getting ill, either with dehydration or just exhaustion. We called 911 the one day when my partner went down, and despite putting his legs up, the ice and cold compresses, we couldn't get the heart rate down. A few of the ladies have been escorted home by fellow players, because of exhaustion. The Villages has water on the courts every day for all the players, but in this heat you really need to bring the sports drinks, like Gatorade, to get the electrolites back in the system.

Rich and I have managed to keep well hydrated, so we've been able to cope with the weather. But Rich continues to have problems with the feet. The toes, where the surgery was done, are doing great! No pain at all. But now he is getting a lot of tingling and burning on the Both Feet! It's not constant. Generally OK in the morning, or after resting for a while. He can play four games or so and then it gets pretty bad. The doctor (Podiatrist) called in a prescription for him, but it doesn't seem to be relieving the problem. You know Rich - even the pain won't keep him off the courts. He still goes out and plays, even if its just four or five games.

Me? I was even out line dancing for about three hours on Tuesday aftern0on after playing pickleball in the morning.....But even I am out of commission now. Yesterday my opponent, trying to pull me off the court to set up a shot sent a ball low and to the outside of the court to my forehand side. I bent, stretched, and in an effort to return the ball cross court, twisted quickly to the left as I hit the ball. Made a great shot..........but pulled a muscle or something in my back! Had to quit in the middle of the game. Made it home on the bicycle and then iced it several times during the day. Was sore, but didn't seem to bad when I went to bed for the night. BUT!!!! It took me about 10 minutes to maneuver my way out of bed this morning and walk about 10 steps to the bathroom! Pretty painful..........but after getting up and around and moving a little bit, it is much more bearable. No pickleball or dancing for a while............

And no senior citizen comments (Mark!) We both refuse to say (or believe) we're getting older.

Donna Hit's the Big 60

I know what you're thinking already!! And yes, while today I was indeed one year older, I did start my day at 7:00 am on the pickleball courts at the Churchill Recreation Center, just a short bike ride from the Villa.

Not a big group out this morning, so very little time to sit out between games. By 9:30 I was exhausted............actually I was anxious to get the rest of the day started! We always celebrate birthdays , but usually it's a small gift and dinner out or with close friends. I did do a super surprise party for Rich on his 60th though!! But the plans for today could not be more perfect.


When I awoke this morning, Rich had left my Birthday Card strategically placed close to the coffee pot, knowing that would be my first stop. I opened the card - even before I poured my coffee.........to learn that today would be a trip to DownTown Disney......................for the 6:00 pm performance of Cirque Du Soleil, La Nouba ! Category One, Preferred Seating - Section 203 - Center Stage! I was on Cloud Nine!!!! I have wanted to see this performance for so long, and we had talked about it several times................I was so surprised!

So why is there a picture of this Chinese Buffett? Well our plans were to leave mid afternoon and have dinner before the show, and since it was my Birthday - it was my choice of restaurants. Orlando; Downtown Disney. I thought about a few of our favorites, like Macaroni Grill, Red Lobster.........or some new and exciting places like Crab Harbor or the Rainforest Cafe....but I got on line to find a Chinese Buffett that was on our way...........and so so we stopped here. It was just five minutes from Downtown Disney, the prices a little higher than normal - but the food was excellent!

And then we arrived at Cirque Du Soleil. Unfortunately they do not allow any type of flash photography during the performance so I can't share any of those great moments. Needless to say the show was even better than I had anticipated. While the lighting and the stage effects enhanced the performance, it could not begin to compare with the phenominal talent of the performers. Here is a link to the Cirque De Soleil Website with a trailer of the performance we saw. La Nouba

After the show we walked the park a bit. Can not imagine what this place is like when all the 'snow birds' are here, because the place was hopping with music and dancing and shows and lots and lots of people! So unlike me not to have pictures to share. Just these two. Despite the fact that I am fearful of heights, that hot air balloon just might be a good way to celebrate another birthday??? On the way out we had to stop just once more; I heard the music and saw the group out dancing the "Cuban Shuffle".

And then we shuffled on back to the car for the ride back home.....................And stopped at McDonalds for a milk shake!!!

Pickleball....Line Dancing.........Chineese Buffett.... Cirque Du Soleil and such a great guy to share it all with? Doesn't get any better.

Thank you, Rich!

Bad Weather - Good Friends

Monday morning we were both back out on the Pickeball Courts. There are about 8 of us that arrive at Churchill Rec Center just before seven am and are standing on the courts ready to serve when it's exactly seven. The morning was a little overcast, but very very warm. By 10:00, it was difficult to find a dry spot anywhere on clothes or body so headed for home. Rich had taken the golf cart to Pimlico and didn't leave the courts quite early enough.........

The clouds came in and the sky darkened not long after I had finished showering. By 10:30 it was storming. Rich and the crew at Pimlico raced from the courts and dropped the covers on the golf carts to get out of the rain and head for home. Rich said that Mo rode his bike that morning - so you can just imagine what he looked like by the time he reached home. Despite the rain, all the guys still met at Dunkin Donuts, as usual, for the morning coffee and story telling.

By mid afternoon the skies darkened and we had some pretty nasty thunder and ligntening storms. But it has been so hot and so dry - that the rain was most welcome. It rained and stormed most of the rest of the day and well into the evening.

Tuesday evening we headed for Spanish Springs Town Center, where we were meeting Dick(Greenie) and Kathy for dinner. It's been almost a year since we last saw them and wanted to make sure we got together at least once before they head for Michigan at the end of July.

We arrived a bit early, so had a few minutes to look around. We parked right in front of The Villages Golf Shop so we looked at some of the Golf Carts on display that were for sale. Click on the picture above and take a loot at the cart on the bottom. That one goes for just over $15 thousand.

We met Kathy and Greenie at Katie Bells for dinner. They have some great early bird dinners. I opted for the Shrimp and Scallop Scampi, Rich had the Kickin Chicken over cheese ravioli, Greenie,Fish and Kathy the Chicken Portabello. For $9.99 your dinner included the entre along with a great soup, salad and bread bar. Everything was delicious.

The inside of Katie Bells is really unique. We sat on the second floor overlooking the stage and dance floor on the lower level. Music and/or entertainment every afternoon and evening. The dance floor was being refurbished, but some people still wanted to dance and did so close to their tables, or in any space they could find.

It was nice catching up on what Kathy and Greenie had been up to for the last year, so we sat for quite a while talking after dinner. Long enough to take Greenie up on his suggestion to go to Ollies for Ice Cream.

And so we did - Ollies is a small little ice cream parlor less than a mile from the Restaurant. Above - Kathy and Greenie enjoy their ice cream dessert.

Saturday Night at the Races

On Saturday Rich and I were invited to join Coach Mo and Jeanne at the Churchill Recreation Center where friends were meeting for a Pot Luck Dinner and to watch the BelmontStakes.

At 5:00 the crowd began to arrive. There were several of the pickleball players from Churchill and Pimlico there. Everyone brought a dish to pass along with their favorite beverage for the evening. We were met at the door by Mo where we could place our bets on the race. All bets were $5. The only difference was that you didn't get to choose your horse!!!! I mean - come on - what fun would that be. You also were given a lottery ticket for the "$million" drawing at 11:00 that evening.

After some social gathering everyone took to the kitchen to fill their plates. The food was excellent. No - there were not any eclairs for Rich, but he found some real good home made treats( brownies, cheescake, chocolate chip cookies etc.) that were even better.

After dinner everyone started to gather around the TV as the horses took to the field and then to the gates. My horse was First Dude (named after Sarah Palin's nickname for her husband!). His odds going into the race were 7-2 - so my chances looked real good. Now, what you need to understand is that the payout tonight was to both the first place winner AND the LAST place horse. Rich had the number 10 horse, Stay Put. With a name like that and odds at 20-1 we were looking real good for taking first AND last.

As you notice, I did not get a picture of the screaming, cheering crowds during the race. That's because my horse, First Dude took the lead out of the gate. He was in front all the way...........until the last lap!! As you probably know by now, Drosselmeyer took over the lead and won the race. But First Dude was a Runner UP!!!

When the race was over - all the Drosselmyer winners fled to the table to collect their winnings. First place paid $50.

Here are our friends Barb and Pete McNamara smiling and holding their winnings. Their horse Spangles Star finished last. Have you ever seen anyone so excited about coming in LAST???

To end the evening, Mo did six drawings for door prizes with the left over money. The first drawing was for $15, and all others were for $10.

And the Lotto at 11:00?

5-25-29-32-41-48

No winners and it rolls over for the sixth time for a $14 million drawing on Wednesday June 9th.

What a Great Idea, MO!

Where are all of our Pickleball Friends?

This winter when Rich and I went to Peace River and learned that many of our friends that we had met there in previous years were not going to be there, we were a little dissapointed. We really missed Dennis and Barb, Bob and Kathy, Stan and Sally, Mark and Chris to name a few, but within just a few weeks we were introduced to so many new people. We should have known that you always meet great people and make great friends on the pickleball courts. And so many of these people continue to keep in touch with us as they leave the humidity and tropical weather of Florida and head north for the winter.

Today we received an e-mail and some pictures from Tom and Karen Wolf. (That's Tom and Karen above with their absolutely beautiful Dalmation!) They spent most of the winter here in Florida back and forth betweeen Orlando and Wauchula, and if you remember, Karen and I partnered up for the Heartland Senior Games.

Over the Memorial Day weekend they were in Chesapeake Bay, VA along witha lot of other players from Peace River - Nate and his family, Tracy and Jim, Jack and Diane, Diane's brother and his wife and Ken and Faye. She said "The preserve held a pickleball tournament. Austin and I were partners, played 4 games and won 1st place!! The semi-final game was against Diane & Jack, a real close game but we prevailed. "

Here are some more pictures she sent! You pickleball players are sure to see some familiar faces.

A Group Picture of the all the Tournament Players, above.

One of the nicest families we met were the Showalters. Here is Crystal and her partner, Diana, Austin, Daryl (Nate's Partner) and Nate.

The Championship match was between Bracket winners Jack and Diane (The Happy Hour Queen!)..........who took second place AND

Karen and Austin who won the overall tournament. Here they are holding their trophy that Karen says they have "joint custody of for six months each". She also told us that with the exception of of ONE category the Florida Picklers ( as they are known by the locals) swept the tournament with the most wins. I say - It's because they all attended Rich's Clinics in Peace River!!!!!

And where is everyone else? Tom and Karen said they found Carla and John, Marie and Keith, Dean and Margie and Barry and Donna on their next stop at TT Hershey. Karen says it best "we have had some "wild and crazy" matches with Dean on the courts!!!

Rich and I will definately enjoy our time here at The Villages - but our RV Picklers are some pretty special folk!!!

THANK YOU KAREN!

Another Proud Moment

Got this note and picture from Dennis, and thought we'd share another of our grandson's recent accomplishments.

"This is a picture of Dalton when he was awarded the Top Reader for his school this year. He graduated 6th grade at Williams Intermediate in Davenport, IA. This was for the whole school 6th-8th grades. Finished with 21,800 pages which surpassed last year top score. His 6th grade read more than 7th and 8th combined. He has set the bar high and what an amazing accomplishment! On top of finishing the year with straight A's.

Once again so Proud!"

From Peace River to The Villages

On Tuesday June 1st, we closed up the fifth wheel, left it stored on the site in Wauchula and headed for our villa at The Villages.

It was almost a three hour trip. We stopped just once at McDonalds. Rich grabbed a $1 cheesburger and we each had a milkshake.

Our first stop was at the Sales Office. This is where we pick up our "temporary" resident ID cards. These cards allow us to use the facilities at The Villages during our visit/

If you click on this picture, you will see that the sign says "Trolly Parking" . Should you ever visit The Villages, stopping here is a must. They will take you on a "trolly" ride and introduce you to everything thing that goes on in this very active adult communtiy. The ride is free.

We arrived at our villa about 4:30 in the afternoon. Like the others that we have stayed in, this one was just as nice. Very large and well equipped kitchen, Dish TV, and a great desk with internet access in the master bedroom. The property is very well maintained with very nice landscaping. Big parking area, so we can park the car in the garage and leave the truch in the alternate parking provided. There is an open lanai on the side of the villa, a nice electric grill for outside cooking, and a screen and glassed lanai. The lanai is very nice. Openthe glass slides and you can enjoy the afternoon breeze. Close the glass slides to keep out the afternoon showers.

CAN'T PLAY PICKLEBALL - SO LET'S ENJOY A FROZEN DACQUARI!!

Yes, the Villa comes complete with our very own golf cart to take us wherevere we need to go to shop, eat or play. As you all know - Rich loves the pickleball play here at The Villages. The foot has healed very nicely since the surgery and he was ready to give it a try on the courts. On Sunday afternoon we went down to the courts, just the two of us and hit a few balls back and forth. Nothing real demanding; only there for about 15 or 20 minutes. On Monday, Rich started getting some pain in his right side - near the rib area. By Tuesday morning it was REALLY sore. It appears to be a bruised rib, although he has absolutely no idea how it happened. AS of today, Thursday, he has not yet been able to get out on the courts to play.

I went over to Churchill Street rec center this morning and played for a while. I was playing with a guy named Steve, who before the game was over, became very light headed and went to sit down. He had become dehydrated from the heat, and we had to call 911. His pulse rate was up to 140 and we could not get it to come down. Iced him, gave him water, but we did not have anything to get the electrolites back in his system. A quick IV from the medics and he was able to go home.

Rich stopped by in time to watch me win my last game and then we took a ride over to Pimlico where Coach Mo was out playing. Ran into some other people we know, Charlie and Pete and Barbara MacNamara. It was tough for Rich to watch - but he really did manage to stay off the courts. We headed back to the Villa for the afternoon, did some puzzels and shared our frozen dacquai.

Typical Florida afternoon. Summer frequently brings the afternoon thunderstorms. This one threatened, but did not materialize.

Tomorrow - Rich will stay off the courts for another day, and I will head back to Churchill Street and meet Jeanne in the morning. On Saturday evening we have been invited to a pot luck get together for the Belmont Races. This will be hosted by Mo and Jeanne, and they are expecting about 50 people. We' share some food and spend $5 to bet on the race.

Should be a fun time.